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Dancers of the Dawn
Deep in the desert a storm is brewing. The first in a slow burning YA romantasy.
Under the blazing sun, an elite troupe of dancers are trained to harness their magic. They are the queen’s most formidable assassins. Aasira has one of the rarest talents – for she is a flame-wielder. Feared by all and envied by some, she uses her power to execute enemies of the crown.
Aasira’s greatest wish is to serve her queen. But on the eve of her graduation, with tensions rising among the dancers and secrets stirring in the shifting sand dunes, she begins to question whether she was truly born to kill…
An epic story about truth, loyalty and betrayal.
Under the blazing sun, an elite troupe of dancers are trained to harness their magic. They are the queen’s most formidable assassins. Aasira has one of the rarest talents – for she is a flame-wielder. Feared by all and envied by some, she uses her power to execute enemies of the crown.
Aasira’s greatest wish is to serve her queen. But on the eve of her graduation, with tensions rising among the dancers and secrets stirring in the shifting sand dunes, she begins to question whether she was truly born to kill…
An epic story about truth, loyalty and betrayal.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2024
32 people are currently reading
1955 people want to read
About the author
Zulekhá Afzal
1 book45 followersZulekhá A. Afzal grew up in Cornwall, where the dramatic coastline inspired stories of other worlds and magic. She now lives in Bath where she studied English Literature with Creative Writing and completed the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. When she isn’t dreaming up fantastical worlds or dancing in a ballet class, Zulekhá works on the other side of publishing in crime and thriller fiction. Her debut novel DANCERS OF THE DAWN is a love letter to dance, set in a world drawing on her mixed cultural heritage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
May 23, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 stars
Such a really great concept that was poorly executed. The magic system was really interesting and the storyline had a lot of potential, but there was just no connection for me to the characters or the writing.
The FMC was bland to me; the writing just seemed two dimensional and didn't provide room for any emotional depth for this character or any others.
And the description for this book is SO misleading. Slow burn romance? There is exactly 0 romance in this book, which isn't a bad thing on its own, but you can't advertise as a slow burn where there isn't anything to burn.
The ending picked up and had a couple of good sequences, but overall this was a missed opportunity for me.
2.5 stars
Such a really great concept that was poorly executed. The magic system was really interesting and the storyline had a lot of potential, but there was just no connection for me to the characters or the writing.
The FMC was bland to me; the writing just seemed two dimensional and didn't provide room for any emotional depth for this character or any others.
And the description for this book is SO misleading. Slow burn romance? There is exactly 0 romance in this book, which isn't a bad thing on its own, but you can't advertise as a slow burn where there isn't anything to burn.
The ending picked up and had a couple of good sequences, but overall this was a missed opportunity for me.
May 21, 2024
4.5 Stars
A sweeping and deliciously rich, epic YA fantasy about dancing assassins, deadly secrets, friendship and betrayal that I found wonderfully enthralling.
Set within a desert-based elite school, that teaches students how to harness their magic through dance (and eventually use said magic to protect and serve their Queen); We follow Aasira, a trainee dancer whose rare fire-wielding abilities have already earned her the role of executioner.
But, as the daughter of a traitor, she knows she must prove herself worthy of her position. However, the night before her graduation, an incident arises that causes tensions to take hold among the Queen’s elite guard and Aasira’s fellow dancers. Tensions that have them questioning Aasira’s true allegiance.
With her country on the precipice of war and an unraveling of secrets that will test Aasira’s loyalty in untold ways— and make her question everything she’s ever been told…
This was such an enjoyable read! The worldbuilding was beautifully lush with an undercurrent of danger that I found impossible to resist. But it was the unique, the dance based magic system that really got my attention; and as soon as I heard the premise (magic wielding dancers who double up as assassins taking out the enemies to their Queen’s rule) I knew I had to get my grabby little hands on a copy.
And I’m glad I did as Zulekha A. Afzal has woven a tale that’s more than just a story about dancing assasins. With an in depth, emotionally compelling protagonist whose complicated bonds of friendship may hinge upon the secrets they ultimately carry; court intrigue lovers are going the absolutely eat this up!
I loved Aasira, whose unrelenting drive to prove herself and her devotion to her country (despite how emotionally draining her role is) was absolutely astounding! I pretty much loved her from the moment she’s introduced and enjoyed delving into the mystery surrounding her past, and her conflicting) fractured memories of her mother (who everyone despises.)
Her fellow dancers were also interesting to meet, though they aren’t quite as detailed as Aasira (who is our sole POV character.) I did really enjoy getting to know their individual personalities, motivations, and magical abilities. Particularly Sahi, Aasira’s closest friend and confidante who we get to know is quite well.
My only real gripe is describing this as a slowburn romantasy, as that’s really not what this story is. Though it does have a hint of romance (love interest Emir was actually really sweet), I don’t think it’s prevalent enough to be considered a main plot point. Perhaps things will change in the sequel book but right now, if you’re heading into this expecting Carissa Broadbent levels of romantic tension — you’re probably gonna be a little disappointed.
Overall a suspenseful, plot twisty and powerfully emotional read that epic fantasy lovers definitely don’t want to miss.
Also, a huge thank you to Rock The Boat for the stunning proof copy.
A sweeping and deliciously rich, epic YA fantasy about dancing assassins, deadly secrets, friendship and betrayal that I found wonderfully enthralling.
Set within a desert-based elite school, that teaches students how to harness their magic through dance (and eventually use said magic to protect and serve their Queen); We follow Aasira, a trainee dancer whose rare fire-wielding abilities have already earned her the role of executioner.
But, as the daughter of a traitor, she knows she must prove herself worthy of her position. However, the night before her graduation, an incident arises that causes tensions to take hold among the Queen’s elite guard and Aasira’s fellow dancers. Tensions that have them questioning Aasira’s true allegiance.
With her country on the precipice of war and an unraveling of secrets that will test Aasira’s loyalty in untold ways— and make her question everything she’s ever been told…
This was such an enjoyable read! The worldbuilding was beautifully lush with an undercurrent of danger that I found impossible to resist. But it was the unique, the dance based magic system that really got my attention; and as soon as I heard the premise (magic wielding dancers who double up as assassins taking out the enemies to their Queen’s rule) I knew I had to get my grabby little hands on a copy.
And I’m glad I did as Zulekha A. Afzal has woven a tale that’s more than just a story about dancing assasins. With an in depth, emotionally compelling protagonist whose complicated bonds of friendship may hinge upon the secrets they ultimately carry; court intrigue lovers are going the absolutely eat this up!
I loved Aasira, whose unrelenting drive to prove herself and her devotion to her country (despite how emotionally draining her role is) was absolutely astounding! I pretty much loved her from the moment she’s introduced and enjoyed delving into the mystery surrounding her past, and her conflicting) fractured memories of her mother (who everyone despises.)
Her fellow dancers were also interesting to meet, though they aren’t quite as detailed as Aasira (who is our sole POV character.) I did really enjoy getting to know their individual personalities, motivations, and magical abilities. Particularly Sahi, Aasira’s closest friend and confidante who we get to know is quite well.
My only real gripe is describing this as a slowburn romantasy, as that’s really not what this story is. Though it does have a hint of romance (love interest Emir was actually really sweet), I don’t think it’s prevalent enough to be considered a main plot point. Perhaps things will change in the sequel book but right now, if you’re heading into this expecting Carissa Broadbent levels of romantic tension — you’re probably gonna be a little disappointed.
Overall a suspenseful, plot twisty and powerfully emotional read that epic fantasy lovers definitely don’t want to miss.
Also, a huge thank you to Rock The Boat for the stunning proof copy.
May 30, 2024
3.5 stars.
July 26, 2024
The concept was really great. A strong female protagonist with elemental magic. My atla soul was quick to love it, but as I delved deeper. I found there were certain loopholes within the writing especially while crafting the love angle. It really seemed forced (I think it was more of a platonic nature then anything else). Calling it a slow burn would be a bit unfair because the first time Aasira finds Emir there, she’s greatly swooned by her and it is very evident (again in a platonic way).
First half of the book seems interesting and everything works on point until the second half comes and ruins the perfectly set narrative. It seems that things happen too quickly in the second half and our protagonist gets her memories back out of thin air in no time. This was kind of unrealistic. The writer should have at least provided some clear cut hints. The twists were nice. The idea of female sisterhood; an absolute win-win. I love the bonding between the dancers. I hope the second part of the series will be fine with respect to the minute errors pinpointed. Besides, the brown girl representation in the book was on point and I loved all the brown girl desi references. All in all, it’s a great mystery with layers of fantasy and a touch of romance (which I hope will be more than platonic in the next book).
First half of the book seems interesting and everything works on point until the second half comes and ruins the perfectly set narrative. It seems that things happen too quickly in the second half and our protagonist gets her memories back out of thin air in no time. This was kind of unrealistic. The writer should have at least provided some clear cut hints. The twists were nice. The idea of female sisterhood; an absolute win-win. I love the bonding between the dancers. I hope the second part of the series will be fine with respect to the minute errors pinpointed. Besides, the brown girl representation in the book was on point and I loved all the brown girl desi references. All in all, it’s a great mystery with layers of fantasy and a touch of romance (which I hope will be more than platonic in the next book).
February 7, 2024
Dance magic? Say no more, I'm sold. I love seeing a fresh take on a magic system, the powers of the different dancers were so captivating and distinct from each other. But more than anything, I ate up the details of the surrounding world, of all the routines and music and outfits that brought these magical dances to life. The friendship in this story is also so powerful, I was hooked from the start on the bond between Aasira and Sahi, and the ups and down of trust and betrayal between them really packed a punch.
July 20, 2024
{4.5 stars}
Aasira is a soldier whose weapon is the magic she can harness through dance. She is training at a special school designed to bring out the best in the women who wield magic. She can harness fire, others can harness wind, create nightmare illusions, snakes out of sand and many unique other talents. She and her small troop are involved with a battle before they graduate and then audition to join the queen's guard. The stakes are high as there is a rival kingdom due to attack at any time. The pressure on Aasira is especially high as her mother was once a confidant of the queen who rebelled and joined the other side. She will do anything to throw off the suspicion of her and yet is desperate to know the truth of what happened to her mother.
This was fabulous fantasy from a debut author. It's definitely the type of read to try if high fantasy with confusing names, complex magic and serious politics is too much for you. You get the flavor of each of those things without being overwhelmed. There is a little flirtation of a relationship but it does not cross the spice line that is so common in new adult fantasy these days, I loved that. The focus was on Aasira, the magic and the looming battle. This was just dancing on the precipice of being a five star read for me.
Read this one if you liked The Daughters of Izdihar or Aveyard's Red Queen series.
Aasira is a soldier whose weapon is the magic she can harness through dance. She is training at a special school designed to bring out the best in the women who wield magic. She can harness fire, others can harness wind, create nightmare illusions, snakes out of sand and many unique other talents. She and her small troop are involved with a battle before they graduate and then audition to join the queen's guard. The stakes are high as there is a rival kingdom due to attack at any time. The pressure on Aasira is especially high as her mother was once a confidant of the queen who rebelled and joined the other side. She will do anything to throw off the suspicion of her and yet is desperate to know the truth of what happened to her mother.
This was fabulous fantasy from a debut author. It's definitely the type of read to try if high fantasy with confusing names, complex magic and serious politics is too much for you. You get the flavor of each of those things without being overwhelmed. There is a little flirtation of a relationship but it does not cross the spice line that is so common in new adult fantasy these days, I loved that. The focus was on Aasira, the magic and the looming battle. This was just dancing on the precipice of being a five star read for me.
Read this one if you liked The Daughters of Izdihar or Aveyard's Red Queen series.
March 2, 2025
This book made me tear up a little! I loved it so much, I am so glad that I judged the book by the cover. I usually don't read fantasy fiction, but I liked the concept of dancing warriors, it's new. It was fascinating to read how each dancer had their own strengths.
Each warrior had to master their magic. Each decision they made, had an impact. I won't get into details to avoid spoilers. Involves royalty, friendship, betrayal, and war.
Easiest 10/10 read.
Each warrior had to master their magic. Each decision they made, had an impact. I won't get into details to avoid spoilers. Involves royalty, friendship, betrayal, and war.
Easiest 10/10 read.
March 16, 2024
:
dancers of the dawn: ★★★★
firstly, thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an arc of this book. 🫶🏽 i was so happy to receive it as it is one of my anticipated releases this year.
the first thing i really liked about this book was that the blurb didn’t give much away. it gave a small taste of what the book might be about, but did not give away many details so i went in a little blind. but i really appreciated it because i went into this book feeling like i did not have any particular expectations.
as for the story, i really loved how immersive and vibrant the descriptions were. the story focuses on a dancer who is also a flame wielder + accesses most of her power through dance. now, i don’t normally like books with that much dancing, i never find them enticing, but the way the author describes the movements + the colours is so inviting + it creates such an invigorating imagery. it gave me such a bollywood vibe!! i felt completely transported.
i also loved the south asian rep in this — the food descriptions, the names + the clothing was so relatable + it was so lovely to see it featured in a fantasy setting. i adored that these girls could kick ass whilst wearing lehengas (traditional south asian clothing).
the themes of sisterhood, betrayal + political intrigue were woven together nicely through this book — i hope this is all explored more in detail in the second book.
anyway, this is the first of a duology by a muslim author featuring diverse brown characters that i think anyone who liked 'the city of brass' or 'the stardust thief' will appreciate + enjoy.
dancers of the dawn: ★★★★
firstly, thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an arc of this book. 🫶🏽 i was so happy to receive it as it is one of my anticipated releases this year.
the first thing i really liked about this book was that the blurb didn’t give much away. it gave a small taste of what the book might be about, but did not give away many details so i went in a little blind. but i really appreciated it because i went into this book feeling like i did not have any particular expectations.
as for the story, i really loved how immersive and vibrant the descriptions were. the story focuses on a dancer who is also a flame wielder + accesses most of her power through dance. now, i don’t normally like books with that much dancing, i never find them enticing, but the way the author describes the movements + the colours is so inviting + it creates such an invigorating imagery. it gave me such a bollywood vibe!! i felt completely transported.
i also loved the south asian rep in this — the food descriptions, the names + the clothing was so relatable + it was so lovely to see it featured in a fantasy setting. i adored that these girls could kick ass whilst wearing lehengas (traditional south asian clothing).
the themes of sisterhood, betrayal + political intrigue were woven together nicely through this book — i hope this is all explored more in detail in the second book.
anyway, this is the first of a duology by a muslim author featuring diverse brown characters that i think anyone who liked 'the city of brass' or 'the stardust thief' will appreciate + enjoy.
August 9, 2024
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a great concept - I really like the magic system, it's very unique and unlike anything I've read before! This was easy to read and to immerse myself in, and I think that the author has a real talent with imagery. However I struggled to connect with the characters and their emotions, and the plot twists weren't as impactful as I think they were meant to be. I'm not sure I'm intrigued enough to read the next book - to be honest I feel like this could have worked easily as a standalone - but I did really like the dancing magic system!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a great concept - I really like the magic system, it's very unique and unlike anything I've read before! This was easy to read and to immerse myself in, and I think that the author has a real talent with imagery. However I struggled to connect with the characters and their emotions, and the plot twists weren't as impactful as I think they were meant to be. I'm not sure I'm intrigued enough to read the next book - to be honest I feel like this could have worked easily as a standalone - but I did really like the dancing magic system!
gave-up-on
April 7, 2024I'd like to thank the publisher and Edelweiss for a chance at reading this book.
This book was one of the 'anticipated' reads I had lined up. Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash were to of my favorite books that had to do with 'dance' magic. I was hoping to jump into another that gave me that feeling... that sense of a mythical, desert land with a group of women assassins.
This book did not do that. This book was far to juvenile and modern in plot, though we are to understand these women are killers and this is a fantasy land. Words like 'studio', 'dormitories', and modern reactions / descriptions are thrown into this book that clash with the setting and atmosphere.
So 15% into the book I had to give up.
Out of respect for the author I am not going to rate this book.
This book was one of the 'anticipated' reads I had lined up. Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash were to of my favorite books that had to do with 'dance' magic. I was hoping to jump into another that gave me that feeling... that sense of a mythical, desert land with a group of women assassins.
This book did not do that. This book was far to juvenile and modern in plot, though we are to understand these women are killers and this is a fantasy land. Words like 'studio', 'dormitories', and modern reactions / descriptions are thrown into this book that clash with the setting and atmosphere.
So 15% into the book I had to give up.
Out of respect for the author I am not going to rate this book.
May 26, 2024
An absolutely stellar debut teen fantasy! I love the sisterhood, the mystery, the characters, the magic. The plot was very well crafted, and I loved the way Magic linked back to dance and the world created. Appropriate for younger teen readers. More sisterhood than romance (only a hint of it at the end, expecting more romance in book 2)
September 5, 2024
Ballet Dancers x Fantasy Assassins
I'm not sure this would be everyone's read however, as an ex ballerina, I really enjoyed this!
Also don't trust goodreads cause this doesn't feel YA and there's no romance except vaguely toward the end lol
I'm not sure this would be everyone's read however, as an ex ballerina, I really enjoyed this!
Also don't trust goodreads cause this doesn't feel YA and there's no romance except vaguely toward the end lol
February 17, 2025
This had the potential to be so good but the pacing was all off- 50% and nothing had happened and the last 20% was PACKED. I had really high hopes but that being said, it was a fun read and the magic system was really cool!!
June 2, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was hard to continue reading this book. It was interesting, yet, I was bored at the same time. The scenes felt dragged out and I was getting more bored. The plot was intriguing, but I felt like some things should have been left out. There was too much detail in every part of the book. It felt so long to get into the main gist of this book, including the romance part. When they said slow-burning, they really meant slow-burning. The only interesting part of this book was towards the end with the betrayal. I somewhat expected the twist, but not really. That's where all the action happened. Every other part of the book was mainly just Aasira training and dancing with her powers. There may have been trickles here and there of some killings, but it felt bland. In regards to the ending, I was surprised by magic manifesting in a certain someone, so that wasn't expected at all. I am excited to see where this would lead to.
I felt like the only character I knew was Aasira. Of course she was the main character, but there was so many other supporting characters that I were important to her and I barely knew anything about them. Sahi may be an exception, but even with her, I could barely feel the connection between her and Aasira. As with the other characters, I couldn't care much about them, because there was barely anything about them that could make me care about them. In regards to Aasira, I did get fairly annoyed with her constantly repeating to herself that she must show that she is not a traitor like her mother. I understand that, but must it be repeated it constantly?
In regards to the magic in this book, I do enjoy that elemental powers are the rare type of power. I hardly see that this type of magic in other books are regarded as rare, so I was curious to how this book will portray such thing. I do like seeing the other girls having other unique powers such as seeing the truth, casting nightmares, etc. but yet, they aren't "rare" as having elemental powers.
Overall, this book was okay. I was intrigued, but I was bored at the same time. If the details could be shaven off a bit, I would be more interested in this world and how Aasira will navigate through it.
It was hard to continue reading this book. It was interesting, yet, I was bored at the same time. The scenes felt dragged out and I was getting more bored. The plot was intriguing, but I felt like some things should have been left out. There was too much detail in every part of the book. It felt so long to get into the main gist of this book, including the romance part. When they said slow-burning, they really meant slow-burning. The only interesting part of this book was towards the end with the betrayal. I somewhat expected the twist, but not really. That's where all the action happened. Every other part of the book was mainly just Aasira training and dancing with her powers. There may have been trickles here and there of some killings, but it felt bland. In regards to the ending, I was surprised by magic manifesting in a certain someone, so that wasn't expected at all. I am excited to see where this would lead to.
I felt like the only character I knew was Aasira. Of course she was the main character, but there was so many other supporting characters that I were important to her and I barely knew anything about them. Sahi may be an exception, but even with her, I could barely feel the connection between her and Aasira. As with the other characters, I couldn't care much about them, because there was barely anything about them that could make me care about them. In regards to Aasira, I did get fairly annoyed with her constantly repeating to herself that she must show that she is not a traitor like her mother. I understand that, but must it be repeated it constantly?
In regards to the magic in this book, I do enjoy that elemental powers are the rare type of power. I hardly see that this type of magic in other books are regarded as rare, so I was curious to how this book will portray such thing. I do like seeing the other girls having other unique powers such as seeing the truth, casting nightmares, etc. but yet, they aren't "rare" as having elemental powers.
Overall, this book was okay. I was intrigued, but I was bored at the same time. If the details could be shaven off a bit, I would be more interested in this world and how Aasira will navigate through it.
May 31, 2025
Dancers of the Dawn by Zulerkha A. Afzal presents an intriguing concept, promising a unique blend of magic and dancing. However, while the premise holds potential, the execution falls short in several areas.
The book’s central idea—a world where people have magic that is amplified by dancing. Unfortunately, the world-building fails to use this concept in a way that is interesting. There is lack of detailed descriptions and the we don't know much of the worlds rules and cultures
Unfortunately the characters are introduced with potential but lack depth and growth, making it difficult to engage me in their life.
For readers seeking a richly developed fantasy experience, this book does not give you that. dont be fooled by its premise and the cover.
The book’s central idea—a world where people have magic that is amplified by dancing. Unfortunately, the world-building fails to use this concept in a way that is interesting. There is lack of detailed descriptions and the we don't know much of the worlds rules and cultures
Unfortunately the characters are introduced with potential but lack depth and growth, making it difficult to engage me in their life.
For readers seeking a richly developed fantasy experience, this book does not give you that. dont be fooled by its premise and the cover.
April 13, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a fantastic YA fantasy! I dare say one of my all-time favorites! 😍Rock The Boat has published some of the best YA fantasy stories out there: diverse, toward the intended audience which is teens, great world-building, and main characters you'll follow anywhere. I'm truly amazed by this publisher's picks. I also read The Last Bloodcarver, and that was a wild ride, too!
Do you know when you read the premise of a book on Goodreads/other websites or at the bookstore and think "THIS is for me"? This is how I felt with this book, which in turn made me nervous to start reading because "What if it wasn't true? What if it didn't meet my expectation of love and awe?" I couldn't help myself, though, and oh holy moly, I fell in love, completely and irrevocably.
The main character is Aasira, a girl who grew up at an academy where young girls train to harness their magic and ultimately serve the queen. Since her mother was a traitor, she was perceived as a traitor, as well, by other students and personnel. All Aasira wanted was to prove her worth and her loyalty. She wanted to belong. Throughout the book, we got many plot twists, and I enjoyed seeing how Aasira handled all this new information. Before, Aasira felt like something was missing, so it was precious to see her become whole and discover who she is as a person and not as her mother's daughter. I LOVED HER!
The love interest comes later on, and I won't spoil anything, but I do love a character who is loyal and stands up for his beliefs. And I really liked him, too! Book 2 will have even more romance, and I'M SO GIDDY ABOUT IT!
There were plenty side-characters, and I enjoyed them all. I felt like every character had a great development in this book; at the end of the book, no one was left the same when the story took off. This doesn't happen often enough, and it spoke of a real storytelling talent of this debut author!
The world-building is PHENOMENAL. The author has had extensive experience in ballet, and it really translated well on the page. All the descriptions were vivid and rich, and I was practically awe-inspired by all of it. I mean, DANCE as a way to practice MAGIC?!! GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The plot had many twists and turns, one that was obvious in my opinion, but it didn't make me any less excited. Even if I knew something, I had no idea how it would turn out! THE SUSPENSE! THE TWISTS!! THE CHARACTERS' LOYALTIES AND DEVELOPMENTS!
I felt like this book will resonate with a lot of YA readers because it's true to its audience but also has strong crossover appeal. I really LOVED everything about this book, and I hope we get a special edition of this series. I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!!!!!
Dancers of the Dawn is, hands down, one of the best books I'll read this year, and an outstanding YA fantasy. If someone would write the definition of YA fantasy, they should write this title as an example. It's glorious like a flame-wielder.
This is a fantastic YA fantasy! I dare say one of my all-time favorites! 😍Rock The Boat has published some of the best YA fantasy stories out there: diverse, toward the intended audience which is teens, great world-building, and main characters you'll follow anywhere. I'm truly amazed by this publisher's picks. I also read The Last Bloodcarver, and that was a wild ride, too!
Do you know when you read the premise of a book on Goodreads/other websites or at the bookstore and think "THIS is for me"? This is how I felt with this book, which in turn made me nervous to start reading because "What if it wasn't true? What if it didn't meet my expectation of love and awe?" I couldn't help myself, though, and oh holy moly, I fell in love, completely and irrevocably.
The main character is Aasira, a girl who grew up at an academy where young girls train to harness their magic and ultimately serve the queen. Since her mother was a traitor, she was perceived as a traitor, as well, by other students and personnel. All Aasira wanted was to prove her worth and her loyalty. She wanted to belong. Throughout the book, we got many plot twists, and I enjoyed seeing how Aasira handled all this new information. Before, Aasira felt like something was missing, so it was precious to see her become whole and discover who she is as a person and not as her mother's daughter. I LOVED HER!
The love interest comes later on, and I won't spoil anything, but I do love a character who is loyal and stands up for his beliefs. And I really liked him, too! Book 2 will have even more romance, and I'M SO GIDDY ABOUT IT!
There were plenty side-characters, and I enjoyed them all. I felt like every character had a great development in this book; at the end of the book, no one was left the same when the story took off. This doesn't happen often enough, and it spoke of a real storytelling talent of this debut author!
The world-building is PHENOMENAL. The author has had extensive experience in ballet, and it really translated well on the page. All the descriptions were vivid and rich, and I was practically awe-inspired by all of it. I mean, DANCE as a way to practice MAGIC?!! GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The plot had many twists and turns, one that was obvious in my opinion, but it didn't make me any less excited. Even if I knew something, I had no idea how it would turn out! THE SUSPENSE! THE TWISTS!! THE CHARACTERS' LOYALTIES AND DEVELOPMENTS!
I felt like this book will resonate with a lot of YA readers because it's true to its audience but also has strong crossover appeal. I really LOVED everything about this book, and I hope we get a special edition of this series. I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2!!!!!!
Dancers of the Dawn is, hands down, one of the best books I'll read this year, and an outstanding YA fantasy. If someone would write the definition of YA fantasy, they should write this title as an example. It's glorious like a flame-wielder.
April 15, 2024
"Dancer...you should call me by my true name. I'm an executioner."
The premise had me so intrigued! The book focuses on Aasira, our FMC who has grown up in an elite academy where girls are enlisted and trained to harness their magic through dance in order to serve their Queen. Aasira is different, she posesses one of the rarest forms of magic - elemental magic - and is a flame-wielder. However her mother is perceived as a traitor to their land and therefore tensions between Aasira and her peels are high, including the Queen herself. Aasira's conflicting emotions about her mother, versues her feelings about loyalty and values are prevalent throughout the story and reminds you that Aasira is, at the end of the day, simply a girl who is forced to choose between her own morals and alleigance to the land.
The magic system was an interesting read, I'd never read anything quite like this before so it was fascinating to see how their powers were accessed, and what exactly their powers entailed and how they were wielded. I also appreciated how their powers were used consistently throughout the story rather than introducing them at the beginning, and then having one big battle at the end which magic-fantasy novels can fall prey to.
The South Asian rep is portayed with bright and colourful outfits, delious foods and beautiful names that really make you feel like you are immersed in the setting. It was really refreshing to read!
My only gripe with this is that it's marketed as a romantasy - for me personally it's a fantasy book centered around sisterhood, political intrigue, betrayal and headstrong women, the romance is hardly there until the later third of the book and even then it's miniscule. However it does set up the romance well for the next book.
Overall, this was a fun and refreshing read and I'll definitely be picking up book 2!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Rock the Boat for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review*
The premise had me so intrigued! The book focuses on Aasira, our FMC who has grown up in an elite academy where girls are enlisted and trained to harness their magic through dance in order to serve their Queen. Aasira is different, she posesses one of the rarest forms of magic - elemental magic - and is a flame-wielder. However her mother is perceived as a traitor to their land and therefore tensions between Aasira and her peels are high, including the Queen herself. Aasira's conflicting emotions about her mother, versues her feelings about loyalty and values are prevalent throughout the story and reminds you that Aasira is, at the end of the day, simply a girl who is forced to choose between her own morals and alleigance to the land.
The magic system was an interesting read, I'd never read anything quite like this before so it was fascinating to see how their powers were accessed, and what exactly their powers entailed and how they were wielded. I also appreciated how their powers were used consistently throughout the story rather than introducing them at the beginning, and then having one big battle at the end which magic-fantasy novels can fall prey to.
The South Asian rep is portayed with bright and colourful outfits, delious foods and beautiful names that really make you feel like you are immersed in the setting. It was really refreshing to read!
My only gripe with this is that it's marketed as a romantasy - for me personally it's a fantasy book centered around sisterhood, political intrigue, betrayal and headstrong women, the romance is hardly there until the later third of the book and even then it's miniscule. However it does set up the romance well for the next book.
Overall, this was a fun and refreshing read and I'll definitely be picking up book 2!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Rock the Boat for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review*
June 11, 2024
Review to come! ☀️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was an interesting South Asian inspired YA fantasy with a seaside capital resembling the beautiful coasts of Cornwall. 🌊
The story follows Aasira, a young woman about to graduate from the academy she’s been training at for as long as she can remember. She’s constantly trying to prove herself against her mother that’s been branded a traitor of the nation. I found her perseverance admirable in the face of so much scrutiny, but the fact that she has a very plot important scar that’s only casually mentioned once towards the end was very odd and felt like it came out of nowhere. 😕
The love interest in what is supposed to be a slow burn romance was introduced in the middle of the plot and didn’t really feel romantic, but more sentimental. I’m sure it’ll build in the next book, but for those who were expecting a slow burn relationship, expect it to be really, REALLY slow. 🧡
The magic is what really caught my attention. I really liked the idea that one’s magic can be identified by the patterns on their palms and the color of their dust, but there were a few questions I felt weren’t really answered in the book. Like, why does the magic appear as dust before solidifying into its power? And why is dancing used to cast it? These are the questions that I hope will be answered in the sequel. ✨
All in all, a rather promising idea, but the execution of the plot could’ve been a bit better in my opinion. I’m still interested in continuing the series mostly because I am interested to see how it all pans out. 🤞🏼
Thank you to Rock the Boat and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and to the author for crafting a beautiful world with an interesting magic system. 🫶🏼
Publication date: UK, June 6 so it’s already out! US, June 11, so today!
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was an interesting South Asian inspired YA fantasy with a seaside capital resembling the beautiful coasts of Cornwall. 🌊
The story follows Aasira, a young woman about to graduate from the academy she’s been training at for as long as she can remember. She’s constantly trying to prove herself against her mother that’s been branded a traitor of the nation. I found her perseverance admirable in the face of so much scrutiny, but the fact that she has a very plot important scar that’s only casually mentioned once towards the end was very odd and felt like it came out of nowhere. 😕
The love interest in what is supposed to be a slow burn romance was introduced in the middle of the plot and didn’t really feel romantic, but more sentimental. I’m sure it’ll build in the next book, but for those who were expecting a slow burn relationship, expect it to be really, REALLY slow. 🧡
The magic is what really caught my attention. I really liked the idea that one’s magic can be identified by the patterns on their palms and the color of their dust, but there were a few questions I felt weren’t really answered in the book. Like, why does the magic appear as dust before solidifying into its power? And why is dancing used to cast it? These are the questions that I hope will be answered in the sequel. ✨
All in all, a rather promising idea, but the execution of the plot could’ve been a bit better in my opinion. I’m still interested in continuing the series mostly because I am interested to see how it all pans out. 🤞🏼
Thank you to Rock the Boat and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and to the author for crafting a beautiful world with an interesting magic system. 🫶🏼
Publication date: UK, June 6 so it’s already out! US, June 11, so today!
Overall: 3.5/5 ⭐️
August 10, 2024
Under the blazing sun, an elite troupe of dancers are trained to harness their magic. They are the queen’s most formidable assassins. Aasira has one of the rarest talents – for she is a flame-wielder. Feared by all and envied by some, she uses her power to execute enemies of the crown.
Aasira’s greatest wish is to serve her queen. But on the eve of her graduation, with tensions rising among the dancers and secrets stirring in the shifting sand dunes, she begins to question whether she was truly born to kill…
Set within a desert-based elite school, that teaches students how to harness their magic through dance. They learn to use their magic to protect and serve their Queen. Aasira, a trainee dancer whose rare fire-wielding abilities have already earned her the role of executioner.
Aasira is the daughter of a traitor so she need to prove herself
This is such a good concept, well written with really good word building. The relationship between the dancers is interesting to witness, and as the book went on I began to question whether or not these girls were friends or enemies.
Throughout the book there were hints as to people who where they said they were, I found myself rooting for Aasira all the way through the book and it was nice to see a gentle romance in the very early stages start to appear.
This is unbelievably a debut book and lucky for me to be the start of a series.
So I will wait with bated breath to see what happens next.
June 13, 2024
This was an anticipated read for me. I loved the cover and the sound of the book! I don’t think I have ever read something with dancing and magic. It was an interesting concept.
I feel like this could have been a great book, but the writing kind of fell short for me. It didn’t feel as impactful with the emotions as I would have liked. I also couldn’t connect to the MC and I do feel like this had to do with the writing. Although the plot could be interesting at times the reveals and plot twists of the story were not surprising and it left something to be desired. There was no romance and even though it is YA, I still wish we would have got something.
My favorite part of this book was the magic and dancing! I liked how the author described it and it left me very intrigued.
Overall, it was a decent book but I don’t think I would continue on with another book in the series. It just didn’t give me everything I had wanted.
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary earc to review!
I feel like this could have been a great book, but the writing kind of fell short for me. It didn’t feel as impactful with the emotions as I would have liked. I also couldn’t connect to the MC and I do feel like this had to do with the writing. Although the plot could be interesting at times the reveals and plot twists of the story were not surprising and it left something to be desired. There was no romance and even though it is YA, I still wish we would have got something.
My favorite part of this book was the magic and dancing! I liked how the author described it and it left me very intrigued.
Overall, it was a decent book but I don’t think I would continue on with another book in the series. It just didn’t give me everything I had wanted.
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary earc to review!
June 28, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ Man I struggled to get through this one. Was super intrigued by a new magic system that required dance until… it didn’t? The girls dancing at the academy to call on their power and the way that was described was very interesting. But then they’d get into battle and most of the time there’s absolutely zero dancing mentioned. So which is it? The end picked up a little so that was good? TL;DR I wanted so much more from Aasira and the writing.
May 24, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Giving this a rounded up 3.5 stars, I think this is a really good debut and beginning to a duology. While perhaps not something I enjoyed at all times, I was intrigued to know more and would be interested in reading the next book in this series. At times the first person POV and ‘basic’ style of the text brought it down, I would still count this as a successful read 😊.
Giving this a rounded up 3.5 stars, I think this is a really good debut and beginning to a duology. While perhaps not something I enjoyed at all times, I was intrigued to know more and would be interested in reading the next book in this series. At times the first person POV and ‘basic’ style of the text brought it down, I would still count this as a successful read 😊.
December 10, 2024
I had no clue what to expect from this book. I really liked the blur and it looked really nice.
I liked it! I like how the magic system was. It was a different take on it.
What I do find misleading is that it says slow burn romance, but there isn't any romance in the book.
Which is totally fine, but dont use it.
The story was interesting. I'm looking forward to the second book.
I liked it! I like how the magic system was. It was a different take on it.
What I do find misleading is that it says slow burn romance, but there isn't any romance in the book.
Which is totally fine, but dont use it.
The story was interesting. I'm looking forward to the second book.
August 8, 2024
This gave me a whole lot of nothing tbh. The concept is great but it was just boring
But I think it’s a great clean YA starter book if people are wanting to start getting into reading
But I think it’s a great clean YA starter book if people are wanting to start getting into reading
July 16, 2025
sarah j maas fans are gonna eat this up
April 16, 2025
Full of atmosphere, grace, and colour! ✨️
February 9, 2025
I had a hard time debating how to review this book. Sure, the flowing prose and the beautiful way the author portrayed dancing scenes were commendable, and yet I was often struck with sentences either not making sense pacing wise, or simply not pushing the narrative forward. They read more as TMIs, personally.
I am able to spot patterns quite easily, which makes reading hard sometimes as I can predict things a couple chapters in (thanks ADHD). Therefore, the fact that I knew what the 'plot twists' and the general happenings are going to be is potentially less of a case of poor foreshadowing - I will have a look to see what other reviews are saying.
Characters - only after finishing this did I realise there is a character list with explanations at the end (please authors let's bring this and table of contents back). Personally, I would say the problem was not so much that one was bombarded from the beginning with the sheer amount of names, but rather
that they simply had no essence. If you asked me in Chapter 10 to distinguish between girls in Aasira's year I could maybe tell you their name and power, but not what their motivations are, what drives them etc.
I also want to make a point for those saying there is no romance and this is not a romantasy - just because no one kissed, slept together or said I burn for you immediately in book 1 does not mean it's not romace. I also would not call it subtle, it's pretty there in your face from that dance in the studio onwards. It could be that some people are too used to reading smut/instant love, but honestly, I considered the couple dynamic quite cute and refreshing after so many Speedy Gonzales kinda love stories.
Finally, there is only one thing which drove me to want to throw this book across the tube multiple times. Yes, I reckon everyone understood that Aasira wished to prove to everyone she is not her mother, what with it being mentioned in every chapter at least once. What I wanted to see is Aasira not working to change their view, but rater to accomplish the things she did because she believed herself to be capable of such feats, if that makes sense. Additionally, how is it possible she never doubted anything she was told despite missing her memories?
If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be COLOURFUL. Everyone and everything has a colour, a sound, the rich descriptions painting vivid imagery of the dancers in training and different settings they were thrust into. Even the words themselves are colourful, used to tell the story in a fresh way I haven't yet encountered. I would recommend this if you are not the fan of fantasy with heavy politics or smut, or if you are looking for something breezy to get you out of the reading slump :))
I am able to spot patterns quite easily, which makes reading hard sometimes as I can predict things a couple chapters in (thanks ADHD). Therefore, the fact that I knew what the 'plot twists' and the general happenings are going to be is potentially less of a case of poor foreshadowing - I will have a look to see what other reviews are saying.
Characters - only after finishing this did I realise there is a character list with explanations at the end (please authors let's bring this and table of contents back). Personally, I would say the problem was not so much that one was bombarded from the beginning with the sheer amount of names, but rather
that they simply had no essence. If you asked me in Chapter 10 to distinguish between girls in Aasira's year I could maybe tell you their name and power, but not what their motivations are, what drives them etc.
I also want to make a point for those saying there is no romance and this is not a romantasy - just because no one kissed, slept together or said I burn for you immediately in book 1 does not mean it's not romace. I also would not call it subtle, it's pretty there in your face from that dance in the studio onwards. It could be that some people are too used to reading smut/instant love, but honestly, I considered the couple dynamic quite cute and refreshing after so many Speedy Gonzales kinda love stories.
Finally, there is only one thing which drove me to want to throw this book across the tube multiple times. Yes, I reckon everyone understood that Aasira wished to prove to everyone she is not her mother, what with it being mentioned in every chapter at least once. What I wanted to see is Aasira not working to change their view, but rater to accomplish the things she did because she believed herself to be capable of such feats, if that makes sense. Additionally, how is it possible she never doubted anything she was told despite missing her memories?
If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be COLOURFUL. Everyone and everything has a colour, a sound, the rich descriptions painting vivid imagery of the dancers in training and different settings they were thrust into. Even the words themselves are colourful, used to tell the story in a fresh way I haven't yet encountered. I would recommend this if you are not the fan of fantasy with heavy politics or smut, or if you are looking for something breezy to get you out of the reading slump :))
August 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and OneWorld publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a solid YA debut from a new and upcoming author. It is reminiscent of books like Tasha Suri's Realm of Ash and Sabaa Tahir's Ember in the Ashes series, though I think not as well executed as those stories IMO. This book is solidly YA (I'd say maybe middle school level) both in terms of story complexity and reading level. In some listings I have seen it billed as a slow-burn romantasy, but this installment had zero romance, so I'm not even sure who the slow burn is supposed to be with (if I had to root for a couple, it would be the FMC and her best friend).
While admittedly, I am a 30-something reading a YA novel, this story still left a lot to be desired. I found the overall story arc to be very predictable and the supposed twists did not really come across as that surprising because we are literally beaten over the head with the main character's backstory about how she and her mother are traitors. While perhaps this being YA makes this kind of leading the reader a little more understandable, it felt like the author didn't trust us to remember the FMC's backstory. I also found the setup of the backstory to be lacking in logic, making it even more annoying to be continually told something. The writing is also a little heavy in purple prose. While some of the writing moments definitely shine, it also started to feel repetitive after a while (how many ways can the author tell us about the sun shining in the desert).
I am unlikely to follow up on future installments in the series, but this could be an enjoyable story for younger audiences or those just getting into fantasy and wanting something not based in western, medieval type settings.
This is a solid YA debut from a new and upcoming author. It is reminiscent of books like Tasha Suri's Realm of Ash and Sabaa Tahir's Ember in the Ashes series, though I think not as well executed as those stories IMO. This book is solidly YA (I'd say maybe middle school level) both in terms of story complexity and reading level. In some listings I have seen it billed as a slow-burn romantasy, but this installment had zero romance, so I'm not even sure who the slow burn is supposed to be with (if I had to root for a couple, it would be the FMC and her best friend).
While admittedly, I am a 30-something reading a YA novel, this story still left a lot to be desired. I found the overall story arc to be very predictable and the supposed twists did not really come across as that surprising because we are literally beaten over the head with the main character's backstory about how she and her mother are traitors. While perhaps this being YA makes this kind of leading the reader a little more understandable, it felt like the author didn't trust us to remember the FMC's backstory. I also found the setup of the backstory to be lacking in logic, making it even more annoying to be continually told something. The writing is also a little heavy in purple prose. While some of the writing moments definitely shine, it also started to feel repetitive after a while (how many ways can the author tell us about the sun shining in the desert).
I am unlikely to follow up on future installments in the series, but this could be an enjoyable story for younger audiences or those just getting into fantasy and wanting something not based in western, medieval type settings.
May 14, 2024
Thank you to Rock the Boat for my review copy!
This was one of my anticipated reads for the summer! Magic born of movement, specifically dancing, captured my attention and it did not disappoint! I devoured this book in less than a day and if I didn't have work, I would have easily read it in one sitting.
I've seen other reviews say that this was marketed as romatasy and I didn't realise whilst reading it that it was supposed to be romantasy. To me it felt like a fantasy book, with a romantic subplot (I actually prefer this to romantasy books) as the world building was thorough.
I loved the richness in how the world was descrbed. It was incredibly easy for me to lose myself in this book and suddenly I was half way through. Everything was so vivid - from how the clothing was described, to the food!
I loved the premise of dancing to harness magic (and I would happily take an extended essay on every aspect and how it works) and I thought the writing describing the moment of dancing was very lyrical and engrossing - I know it can be incredibly difficult to take something as abstract as performing and make it worth reading (another author who does this brilliantly is Judy I Lin in "Song of Six Realms"). As a dancer myself, these passages made me think about how I would translate the physical movemens I make when dancing to words that convey the same feelings.
I'm very excited to see what Afzal writes next and I cannot wait to see what happens in the sequel given how this ended!
This was one of my anticipated reads for the summer! Magic born of movement, specifically dancing, captured my attention and it did not disappoint! I devoured this book in less than a day and if I didn't have work, I would have easily read it in one sitting.
I've seen other reviews say that this was marketed as romatasy and I didn't realise whilst reading it that it was supposed to be romantasy. To me it felt like a fantasy book, with a romantic subplot (I actually prefer this to romantasy books) as the world building was thorough.
I loved the richness in how the world was descrbed. It was incredibly easy for me to lose myself in this book and suddenly I was half way through. Everything was so vivid - from how the clothing was described, to the food!
I loved the premise of dancing to harness magic (and I would happily take an extended essay on every aspect and how it works) and I thought the writing describing the moment of dancing was very lyrical and engrossing - I know it can be incredibly difficult to take something as abstract as performing and make it worth reading (another author who does this brilliantly is Judy I Lin in "Song of Six Realms"). As a dancer myself, these passages made me think about how I would translate the physical movemens I make when dancing to words that convey the same feelings.
I'm very excited to see what Afzal writes next and I cannot wait to see what happens in the sequel given how this ended!
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